5.3-magnitude earthquake hits New Zealand

WELLINGTON: A 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck New Zealand's North Island near Rotorua, the US Geological Survey said on Thursday, but there were no immediate reports of damage and no tsunami warnings issued. The quake hit at a depth of 153 kilometres around 42 kilometres southwest of the town of Rotorua at 3:02am local time (1502 GMT Thursday), the USGS said. The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunmai Warning Centre did not issue any advice following the quake. In September a major 7.0-magnitude earthquake caused widespread destruction in Christchurch on the nation's South Island.